# Overview Daniel Chapter 5 recounts the dramatic and divine judgment on #Belshazzar, the #Babylonian king, during a lavish banquet. In the midst of his revelry, Belshazzar desecrates the sacred vessels taken from the temple in #Jerusalem, using them to praise gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone. This act of blasphemy provokes a mysterious divine response: a disembodied hand writes a cryptic message on the wall. The king, deeply disturbed, seeks interpretation from his wise men, but they are unable to decipher the writing. At the suggestion of the queen, #Daniel is summoned due to his reputation for wisdom and his previous service to King #Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel interprets the writing—#MENE, #MENE, #TEKEL, #UPHARSIN—as a judgment against Belshazzar. He explains that God has numbered the days of Belshazzar’s reign, weighed him in the balance, and found him wanting, and that his kingdom will be divided and given to the #Medes and #Persians. This chapter highlights the sovereignty of #God over earthly kingdoms and the fulfillment of divine prophecy. That very night, Belshazzar is slain, and #Darius the Mede takes over the kingdom, underscoring the theme of God's ultimate authority and the transience of worldly power. ## Theological Insights Daniel Chapter 5 presents a powerful narrative of divine sovereignty and judgment, illustrating God's authority over human kingdoms. This chapter recounts the story of #Belshazzar, the last king of #Babylon, highlighting his arrogance and disregard for the holiness of God. 1. **Divine Sovereignty**: The chapter underscores the theme of God's sovereignty over earthly rulers. Belshazzar's feast, during which he profanes the sacred vessels from the Jerusalem temple, signifies human pride and rebellion against God. The mysterious writing on the wall ("Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin") is a divine intervention that demonstrates God's control over the fate of nations. This theme resonates with other biblical accounts, such as God's judgment on #Nebuchadnezzar in [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 4]], where Nebuchadnezzar is humbled to acknowledge God's sovereignty. 2. **Judgment and Accountability**: Belshazzar's story serves as a cautionary tale of divine judgment. His kingdom is weighed and found wanting, leading to the downfall of Babylon. This reflects the biblical principle that God holds rulers accountable for their deeds, as seen in other instances like the fall of #Sodom and #Gomorrah in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 19]] and the judgment of #Pharaoh in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 7]] through [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 12]]. 3. **The Role of God's Servants**: Daniel's role in interpreting the writing on the wall highlights the importance of faithful witnesses who proclaim God's truth in the midst of a corrupt society. Despite being marginalized, Daniel remains steadfast in his faith, echoing the call for believers to be light in darkness, akin to the prophet #Elijah confronting #Ahab and #Jezebel in [[1 Kings/1 Kings Chapter 18]]. 4. **Contrast between Pride and Humility**: The contrast between Belshazzar's arrogance and Daniel's humility points to the biblical teaching on pride and its consequences. Proverbs consistently warns against pride (e.g., [[Proverbs/Proverbs Chapter 16]]) and elevates humility as a virtue, seen in the life of Jesus Christ as described in [[Philippians/Philippians Chapter 2]]. 5. **Prophetic Fulfillment**: The chapter also serves as an example of prophetic fulfillment. The fall of Babylon fulfills earlier prophecies, such as those in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 13]] and [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 51]], demonstrating that God's word is reliable and will come to pass. This chapter thus serves as a poignant reminder of God's ultimate authority, the certainty of divine judgment, and the call for faithfulness in the face of worldly pride and power. ## Thematic Connections ### Divine Sovereignty and Human Pride In Daniel 5, the theme of divine sovereignty is starkly contrasted with human pride. King #Belshazzar's arrogance in using the sacred vessels from the #Jerusalem temple for a profane feast serves as a reminder of God's judgment against human hubris. This theme echoes the downfall of other prideful rulers, such as #Nebuchadnezzar in [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 4]], and aligns with the broader biblical narrative that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" ([[James/James Chapter 4]]). ### Judgment and Accountability The dramatic event of the handwriting on the wall underscores the theme of divine judgment and accountability. The phrase "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin" signifies that God has weighed Belshazzar's reign and found it wanting, leading to the imminent fall of his kingdom. This theme is consistent with biblical principles of accountability seen in the stories of #Saul's rejection as king in [[1 Samuel/1 Samuel Chapter 15]] and the destruction of #Sodom and #Gomorrah in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 19]]. ### The Role of Prophetic Witness Daniel's role in interpreting the mysterious writing highlights the importance of prophetic witness. Despite being marginalized, Daniel is called upon to reveal God's message, similar to how #Joseph interpreted dreams in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 41]]. This theme emphasizes the enduring role of God's servants to proclaim truth, regardless of their standing in society. ### The Transience of Earthly Kingdoms The swift demise of Belshazzar's kingdom illustrates the transient nature of earthly powers compared to God's eternal kingdom. This theme parallels the visions in [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 2]] and [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 7]], which depict the rise and fall of empires, affirming the biblical truth that "the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men" ([[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 4]]). ### The Sanctity of Sacred Objects Belshazzar’s desecration of the temple vessels by using them in a pagan feast serves as a warning against the misuse of what is holy. This theme is reflected in the laws concerning the tabernacle and temple furnishings in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 25]] and the consequences of misusing holy things, as seen in the story of #Uzzah and the Ark in [[2 Samuel/2 Samuel Chapter 6]]. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Writing on the Wall In #Daniel 5, the mysterious writing on the wall during the feast of #Belshazzar fulfills the themes of God’s sovereignty and judgment expressed throughout the #OldTestament. The divine message "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin" interpreted by #Daniel signifies the imminent fall of #Babylon, reflecting God’s control over the rise and fall of kingdoms as seen in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 13|Isaiah 13:19]], which foretells Babylon’s downfall. This event also parallels the prophetic judgment against Babylon described in [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 51|Jeremiah 51:25-26]]. ### The Sovereignty of God The fall of #Babylon as prophesied through the writing on the wall in Daniel 5 exemplifies the prophetic theme of God’s supreme authority over all nations, as articulated in passages like [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 46|Isaiah 46:9-11]], where God declares His purpose and power to accomplish His will. Daniel’s interpretation of the writing underscores the prophecy that God sets up kings and deposes them, aligning with the divine orchestration of world events depicted in [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 2|Daniel 2:20-21]]. ### The Judgment on Idolatry Daniel 5 also fulfills the prophetic condemnation of idolatry found throughout the scriptures. #Belshazzar’s use of the sacred vessels from the Jerusalem temple to praise false gods parallels the denouncement of idolatry seen in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 44|Isaiah 44:9-20]] and [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 10|Jeremiah 10:1-15]]. God’s judgment on Belshazzar fulfills the warnings against idol worship and serves as a reminder of the fate of those who dishonor God, echoing the prophetic messages in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 20|Exodus 20:3-5]]. ### The Rise of the Medo-Persian Empire The prophecy concerning the rise of the #MedoPersianEmpire is fulfilled in the narrative of Daniel 5, where #Darius the Mede receives the kingdom after Babylon’s fall. This fulfillment is consistent with the dream of the statue in [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 2|Daniel 2]], where the silver chest and arms represent the Medo-Persian Empire succeeding Babylon. The transition of power signifies the continuation of God’s prophetic timeline concerning the successive world empires leading to the coming of the Messiah. ## Verses - **Daniel 5:1** - "Many years later King Belshazzar gave a great feast for 1,000 of his nobles, and he drank wine with them." - **Daniel 5:2** - "While Belshazzar was drinking the wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver cups that his predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar, had taken from the Temple in Jerusalem. He wanted to drink from them with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines." - **Daniel 5:3** - "So they brought these gold cups taken from the Temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives, and his concubines drank from them." - **Daniel 5:4** - "While they drank from them they praised their idols made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone." - **Daniel 5:5** - "Suddenly, they saw the fingers of a human hand writing on the plaster wall of the king’s palace, near the lampstand. The king himself saw the hand as it wrote," - **Daniel 5:6** - "and his face turned pale with fright. His knees knocked together in fear and his legs gave way beneath him." - **Daniel 5:7** - "The king shouted for the enchanters, astrologers, and fortune-tellers to be brought before him. He said to these wise men of Babylon, 'Whoever can read this writing and tell me what it means will be dressed in purple robes of royal honor and will have a gold chain placed around his neck. He will become the third highest ruler in the kingdom!'" - **Daniel 5:8** - "But when all the king’s wise men had come in, none of them could read the writing or tell him what it meant." - **Daniel 5:9** - "So the king grew even more alarmed, and his face turned pale. His nobles, too, were shaken." - **Daniel 5:10** - "But when the queen mother heard what was happening, she hurried to the banquet hall. She said to Belshazzar, 'Long live the king! Don’t be so pale and frightened.'" - **Daniel 5:11** - "'There is a man in your kingdom who has within him the spirit of the holy gods. During Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, this man was found to have insight, understanding, and wisdom like that of the gods. Your predecessor, the king—your predecessor King Nebuchadnezzar—made him chief over all the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and fortune-tellers of Babylon.'" - **Daniel 5:12** - "'This man Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, has exceptional ability and is filled with divine knowledge and understanding. He can interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means.'" - **Daniel 5:13** - "So Daniel was brought in before the king. The king asked him, 'Are you Daniel, one of the exiles brought from Judah by my predecessor, King Nebuchadnezzar?'" - **Daniel 5:14** - "'I have heard that you have the spirit of the gods within you and that you are filled with insight, understanding, and wisdom.'" - **Daniel 5:15** - "'My wise men and enchanters have tried to read the words on the wall, but they cannot.'" - **Daniel 5:16** - "'I am told that you can give interpretations and solve difficult problems. If you can read these words and tell me their meaning, you will be clothed in purple robes of royal honor and you will have a gold chain placed around your neck. You will become the third highest ruler in the kingdom.'" - **Daniel 5:17** - "Daniel answered the king, 'Keep your gifts or give them to someone else, but I will tell you what the writing means.'" - **Daniel 5:18** - "'Your Majesty, the Most High God gave sovereignty, majesty, glory, and honor to your predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar.'" - **Daniel 5:19** - "'He made him so great that people of all races and nations and languages trembled before him in fear. He killed those he wanted to kill and spared those he wanted to spare. He honored those he wanted to honor and disgraced those he wanted to disgrace.'" - **Daniel 5:20** - "'But when his heart and mind were puffed up with arrogance, he was brought down from his royal throne and stripped of his glory.'" - **Daniel 5:21** - "'He was driven from human society. He was given the mind of a wild animal, and he lived among the wild donkeys. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he learned that the Most High God rules over the kingdoms of the world and appoints anyone he desires to rule over them.'" - **Daniel 5:22** - "'You are his successor, O Belshazzar, and you knew all this, yet you have not humbled yourself.'" - **Daniel 5:23** - "'For you have proudly defied the Lord of heaven and have had these cups from his Temple brought before you. You and your nobles and your wives and concubines have been drinking wine from them while praising gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone—gods that neither see nor hear nor know anything at all. But you have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny!'" - **Daniel 5:24** - "'So God has sent this hand to write this message.'" - **Daniel 5:25** - "'This is the message that was written: Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin.'" - **Daniel 5:26** - "'This is what these words mean: Mene means ‘numbered’—God has numbered the days of your reign and has brought it to an end.'" - **Daniel 5:27** - "'Tekel means ‘weighed’—you have been weighed on the balances and have not measured up.'" - **Daniel 5:28** - "'Parsin means ‘divided’—your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.'" - **Daniel 5:29** - "Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was dressed in purple robes, a gold chain was hung around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom." - **Daniel 5:30** - "That very night Belshazzar, the Babylonian king, was killed." - **Daniel 5:31** - "And Darius the Mede took over the kingdom at the age of sixty-two." ### Cross-References by Chapter - **Belshazzar** - [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 5]] - **Nebuchadnezzar** - [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 4]] - **Daniel** - [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 1]] - **Handwriting on the Wall** - [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 5]] - **Darius the Mede** - [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 5]]